Fiber optic connector assemblies with adjustable polarity

ABSTRACT

Connector assemblies having an adjustable polarity are described. For example, at least two ferrules may be arranged in a housing of the connector assembly within independent frame plugs in a certain polarity. A top portion of the housing may be removed to allow access to the frame plugs. Accordingly, an installer may open the housing, switch the polarity of the ferrules, and then re-couple the top portion to the housing. In another example, the connector assembly may include a latch that may rotate about the connector assembly from a first polarity position to a second polarity position. The connector assembly may include a compression element that may facilitate the rotation of the latch when the compression element is compressed. In this manner, the latch may be rotated to a different polarity position to allow the connector assembly to be connected to an adapter using a different polarity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/997,375, filed Jan. 15, 2016, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The described technology generally relates to components for connectingdata transmission elements and, more specifically, to connectorassemblies configured to facilitate the efficient changing of a polarityof the connector assembly without disassembling or substantiallydisassembling the connector assembly.

BACKGROUND

The reliability of communication infrastructure depends on secure andaccurate connections between components, such as cable segments, networkequipment, and communication devices. Large-scale data communicationsystems use fiber optic cables for data transmission between components.The fiber optic cables may be terminated by connector assemblies. Duplexconnector assemblies, such as an LC connector assembly, may include areceiving optical fiber (typically labeled as “A”) and a transmittingoptical fiber (typically labeled as “B”). Such duplex connectorassemblies may connect with an adapter having corresponding receiving(or “A”) and transmitting (“B”) ports. A duplex connector assembly isgenerally configured such that the receiving optical fiber connects withthe transmitting port of the adapter and the transmitting optical fiberconnects with the receiving port of the adapter.

A duplex connector assembly has a polarity based on the relativeorientation of the receiving optical fiber and the transmitting opticalfiber. Similarly, a corresponding adapter may have a polarity based onthe relative orientation of the receiving port and the transmittingport. If the polarity of the connector assembly corresponds to thepolarity of the adapter, the connection between the connector assemblyand the adapter may successfully communicate data over the fiber opticcables joined by these two components. However, particularly in largeinstallations, the polarity of the connector often does not correspondwith the polarity of the adapter, leading to cross over and othercommunication issues. The connector assembly cannot simply be rotated toa correct polarity, as the connector assembly includes elementsconfigured to secure the connector assembly to the adapter which preventrotation.

Conventional techniques for changing an incorrect polarity of aconnector assembly involve difficult and time consuming methods. Forexample, an installer may be required to remove the existing, incorrectconnector assembly and prepare a new connector assembly on site. Othermethods involve the use of special tools or high-cost connectorcomponents that may also require twisting or rotating the fiber, whichmay lead to damaged connections. Accordingly, telecommunication networkproviders would benefit from a connector assembly configured to allowfor the efficient and effective changing of the polarity of theconnector assembly on-site.

SUMMARY

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as anadmission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are notentitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Asused in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but notlimited to.”

In an embodiment, a connector assembly having an adjustable polarity mayinclude a first ferrule and a second ferrule arranged in one of a firstpolarity and a second polarity, a latch component configured to rotatefrom a first polarity position to a second polarity position, a lockingelement configured to engage a locking recess to prevent rotation of thelatch component, and at least one compression element configured todisengage the locking element from the locking recess when the at leastone compression element is compressed, thereby allowing the latchcomponent to rotate. In one aspect, the connector assembly may beconfigured to be connected to an adapter in a first polarity when thelatch component is located at the first polarity position and in asecond polarity when the latch component is located at the secondpolarity position.

In an embodiment, a connector assembly having an adjustable polarity mayinclude a first plug frame and a second plug frame that are independentfrom each other, a first ferrule disposed within the first plug frameand a second ferrule disposed within the second plug frame that are eachcoupled to a terminal end of an optical fiber cable; and a housing thatmay include a top housing component configured to be removably coupledto a bottom housing component. The housing may be configured to securethe first plug frame and the second plug frame within the connectorassembly when the top housing component is coupled to the bottom housingcomponent. In one aspect, removal of the top housing component from thebottom housing component may provide access to the first plug frame andthe second plug frame to allow for changing a location of the first plugframe and the second plug frame within the housing to adjust a polarityof the connector assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative connector assembly according to a firstembodiment.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict an illustrative connector assembly according to thefirst embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3F depict an illustrative connector assembly according to asecond embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4I depict an illustrative connector assembly according to athird embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The described technology generally relates to connector assemblies (forexample, a plug, male connector, connector, or the like) having anadjustable polarity. In general, the connector assemblies have aplurality of orientations, alignments, or other physical attributes thatcause the connector assemblies to have a plurality of polarities. Insome embodiments, the connector assembly may only fit into and/orcorrectly connect with an adapter (for instance, a receptacle, femaleconnector, adapter, or the like) in one or more of the polarities. Thepolarity of the connector assembly may be based on the relativeorientation of components of the connector assembly, such as ferrules, ahousing, a latch, a frame, or the like. For example, a connectorassembly configured according to some embodiments may include twoferrules, a transmission ferrule and a receiving ferrule that may bearranged in one of a first polarity and a second polarity in order toform a successful connection with a corresponding adapter.

The connector assemblies and other data transmission elements describedaccording to some embodiments herein may be connected within a network,which may include any type of network capable of transmitting signals,electricity, or any other type of transmission medium. For instance, thenetwork may include, without limitation, a communication network, atelecommunication network, an electrical network, a data network, acomputer network, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, thenetwork may include a communication network using various signaltransmission mediums, including, without limitation, fiber opticnetworks, Ethernet networks, cable and/or satellite television networks,and any other type of communication network now known or developed inthe future. In some embodiments, the sealable connector assemblies maybe configured to connect cable segments and/or devices within a fiberoptic network using various standard connector types and/or adaptors,including, but not limited to, LC, ST, SC, FC, DIN, D4, SMA, E2000,Biconic, FullAXS, OCD, small form-factor pluggable (SFP), MPO and/orcopper-type network connections, such as RJ-45 type connectors. In someembodiments, the connector assembly may include a duplex LC-typeconnector and the connector assembly adaptor may include an SFP adaptor.In some embodiments the connector assembly may include a LC-type unibootconnector. In some embodiments, the connector assembly may include aunibody connector, for instance, that includes a round fiber opticcable.

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of an illustrative connector assemblyaccording to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a connectorassembly 100 may include a housing 180 formed from a top housingcomponent 105 and a bottom housing component 110. The housing 180 mayinclude a “closed” configuration when the top housing component 105 iscoupled to the bottom housing component 110 and an “open” configurationwhen the top housing component 105 is not coupled to the bottom housingcomponent 110. The top housing component 105 and the bottom housingcomponent 110 may be securely coupled to each other using various means,such as a snap-fit, a friction-fit, or the like.

In some embodiments, the top housing component 105 may include one ormore top projections 190 configured to engage corresponding lockingprojections 195 on the bottom housing component 110. As the top housingcomponent 105 is being pushed onto the bottom housing component 110, thetop projections 190 engage the locking projections 195, which mayinclude a slanted top surface such that the force of the projectionsagainst the locking projections causes the side walls of the bottomhousing component to extend outward to facilitate the movement of theprojections past the locking projections and into the interior of thehousing 180. When the top projections 190 have passed the lockingprojections 195, the side walls of the bottom housing component 110return to their original position and the locking projections arepositioned over the top projections, preventing movement of the tophousing component 105 in an upward direction. Accordingly, the tophousing component 105 is securely coupled to the bottom housingcomponent 110. The top housing component 105 may be removed from thebottom housing component 110 using various processes, including pryingon a portion of bottom housing component. For example, an installer maymanually spread locking projections 195 apart and lift the top housingcomponent 105 to remove the top housing component from the bottomhousing component 110.

A cable (not shown) may extend through a boot 115 into the connectorassembly 100. The cable may include two optical fibers (for instance, atransmitting optical fiber and a receiving optical fiber) terminating ata first ferrule 155 a and a second ferrule 155 b. For example, the firstferrule 155 a may be coupled to a terminal end of a transmitting opticalfiber and the second ferrule 155 b may be coupled to a terminal end of areceiving optical fiber, or vice versa. A crimp ring and/or crimp tube120, which may include a material, such as a heat-shrink material, mayencase a portion of the cable and a crimp ring 120 may be secured to thecable. A back post 125 may engage the crimp ring 120 at a distal (D) endthereof. In some embodiments, as the crimp ring 120 is secured to thecable, the crimp ring may prevent movement of the back post 125 and,therefore, the housing 180, toward the distal (D) end of the connectorassembly 100. In some embodiments, the back post 125 may be molded orotherwise affixed to a portion of the top housing component 105 or thebottom housing component 110. The back post 125 may be arranged within achannel 170 formed in the housing 180. In some embodiments, the backpost 125 may be affixed to the channel 170 within the bottom housingcomponent 110, such as through a snap-fit, a friction-fit, adhesive, orthe like.

The first ferrule 155 a and the second ferrule 155 b may be arrangedwithin a first plug frame 150 a and a second plug frame 150 b,respectively. The first plug frame 150 a and the second plug frame 150 bmay be independent from each other. The top housing component 105 andthe bottom housing component 110 may include recesses 130, 145 at aproximal (P) end thereof that are configured to engage correspondingchannels 165 a, 165 b formed in the distal (D) end of the first plugframe 150 a and the second plug frame 150 b. In this manner, the firstplug frame 150 a and the second plug frame 150 b may be secured withinthe connector assembly 100 when the housing 180 is in the closedconfiguration. In some embodiments, the first plug frame 150 a and thesecond plug frame 150 b may be coupled to the top housing component 105and/or the bottom housing component 110 within the recesses 130, 145,such as through a snap-fit, friction-fit, or the like.

The first plug frame 150 a and the second plug frame 150 b may include alocking latch 160 a, 160 b configured to releasably couple the connectorassembly 100 to a complementary adapter (not shown). The locking latches160 a, 160 b may be depressable and may have sufficient flexibility suchthat the connector assembly 100 may be released from the adapter whenthe latch is activated with a moderate pressing force. The top housingcomponent 105 may include a thumb latch 135 configured to engage thelocking latches 160 a, 160 b. The thumb latch 135 may be positioned onthe housing 180 such that individual locking latches 160 a, 160 b may betriggered by a single thumb latch 135 on the housing. The thumb latch135 may be configured to depress the locking latches 160 a, 160 b atsubstantially the same time.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict an illustrative connector assembly according to thefirst embodiment. FIG. 2A depicts the connector assembly 100 with thehousing 180 in the closed position and having a first polarity in whichferrule 155 a is located on the left and ferrule 155 b is located on theright. In FIG. 2B, the housing component 180 is in the openconfiguration in which the top housing component 105 has beendisconnected from the bottom housing component 110 exposing the interiorof the housing and allowing access to the first plug frame 150 a and thesecond plug frame 150 b. As shown in FIG. 2C, the first plug frame 150 aand the second plug frame 150 b may be independently moved from thebottom housing component 110 when the housing 180 is in the openconfiguration. Accordingly, the position of the first plug frame 150 aand the second plug frame 150 b and, therefore, the first ferrule 155 aand the second ferrule 155 b, may be switched within the connectorassembly 180. In this manner, the connector assembly 100 may be adjustedto have a second polarity in which ferrule 155 a is located on the rightand ferrule 155 b is located on the left. Once the polarity of theconnector assembly 100 has been adjusted, the top housing component 105may be coupled to the bottom housing component 110 and the connectorassembly may be connected to a corresponding adapter.

FIGS. 3A-3F depict an illustrative connector assembly according to asecond embodiment. In particular, FIG. 3A depicts an exploded view of anillustrative connector assembly according to the second embodiment. Aconnector assembly 300 may include a frame (or “housing”) 380 configuredto securely house a first ferrule 155 a and a second ferrule 155 b,springs 320 a, 320 b, and other internal components not shown in FIG.3A. The frame 380 may include a top frame component 305 configured to becoupled to a bottom frame component 310, both of which may include aback post portion 381, 385 and a plug frame portion 315, 325. At least aportion of the plug frame portion 315, 325 may be configured to engageand/or be inserted into a corresponding port of an adapter. The topframe component 305 and the bottom frame component 310 may be securelycoupled to each other using various means, such as a snap-fit, afriction-fit, an adhesive, or the like.

A cable (not shown) may extend through a boot 115 into the connectorassembly 300. The cable may include two optical fibers (for instance, atransmitting optical fiber and a receiving optical fiber) terminating atthe first ferrule 155 a and the second ferrule 155 b. For example, thefirst ferrule 155 a may be coupled to a terminal end of a transmittingoptical fiber and the second ferrule 155 b may be coupled to a terminalend of a receiving optical fiber, or vice versa. A crimp ring 120 may besecured to the cable. The post portion 381, 385 may engage the crimpring 120 at a distal (D) end thereof. As the crimp ring 120 is securedto the cable, the crimp ring may prevent movement of the post portion381, 385 and, therefore, the frame 380, toward the distal (D) end of theconnector assembly 300.

A latch component 350 may include a ring portion 360 arranged around adistal (D) end of the frame 380. The latch component may include a thumblatch 355 configured to releasably couple the connector assembly 300 toa complementary adapter (not shown). The thumb latch 355 may bedepressable and may have sufficient flexibility such that the connectorassembly 300 may be released from the adapter when the latch isactivated with a moderate pressing force.

FIG. 3B depicts a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 300 andFIG. 3C depicts detail 390 of FIG. 3B. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, anexternal surface of the frame 380 may include one or more lockingrecesses 375 configured to receive one or more corresponding lockingprojections 370 arranged on an inner surface of the ring portion 360.The latch component 350 may include one or more compression sections 365b (compression section 365 a is not visible in FIG. 3A, see FIG. 3E). Asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the locking projections 370 may engage thelocking recesses 375 to prevent the rotation of the latch component 350with respect to the frame 380.

The compression of the compression sections 365 a, 365 b causes theshape of the ring portion 360 to become deformed. For example, the shapeof the ring portion 360 may have a generally circular-shape when thecompression sections 365 a, 365 b are not compressed and a generallyoval-shape when the compression sections are compressed. When thecompression sections 365 a, 365 b are compressed, the lockingprojections 370 move out of the locking recesses 375 and the latchcomponent 350 may rotate with respect to the frame 380. When thecompression sections 365 a, 365 b are not compressed, the lockingprojections 370 may be inserted into the locking recesses 375 and thelatch component 350 may be locked in place with respect to the frame380. Accordingly, the latch component 350 may be rotated to the otherside of the frame 380 and the connector assembly 300 may be rotated toconnect with a corresponding adapter with a different polarity.

FIGS. 3D-3F depict an illustrative polarity adjustment for the connectorassembly 300. In FIG. 3D, the connector assembly 300 is arranged in afirst polarity in which the connector assembly is configured to connectwith an adapter with the second ferrule 155 b on the right side and thefirst ferrule 155 a on the left side of the connector assembly from atop-down perspective. The latch component 350 is arranged in a firstpolarity position on the frame 380, with compression section 365 bvisible in FIG. 3D and the thumb latch 355 over plug frame portion 315.In FIG. 3E, the compression sections 365 a, 365 b have been compressedand the latch component 350 has been rotated to a second polarityposition, in which compression section 365 a is visible in FIG. 3E andthe thumb latch 355 is under plug frame portion 325. In FIG. 3F, theentire connection assembly 300 has been rotated such that the connectionassembly may connect with an adapter in a second polarity with thesecond ferrule 155 b on the left side and the first ferrule 155 a on theright side of the connector assembly from a top-down perspective.Accordingly, the polarity of the connector assembly 300 may be adjustedby rotating the latch component 350 from a first polarity position to asecond polarity position and rotating the connector assembly such thatthe thumb latch 355 is orientated to engage a corresponding adapter.

FIGS. 4A-4I depict an illustrative connector assembly according to athird embodiment. FIG. 4A depicts a top-down view of a connectorassembly 400 having a housing and compression elements 410 a, 410 b. Alatch component 350 may have a ring portion 360 disposed around alocking component 430 (not shown, see FIG. 4B). In some embodiments, thecompression elements 410 a, 410 b may be resilient and biased outward.In some embodiments, compression of compression elements 410 a, 410 bmay allow latch component 350 to rotate from a first polarity positionto one or more other positions.

FIG. 4B depicts a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly 400from a top-down perspective. As shown in FIG. 4B, the compressionelements 410 a, 410 b may be arranged on a locking component 430. One ormore cables (not shown) may extend through the connector assembly 400,for example, through the boot 115, the crimp ring 125, the lockingcomponent 430, and the housing 405, and terminating at the ferrules 155a, 155 b. When the compression elements 410 a, 410 b are not compressed,locking elements 435 a, 435 b arranged on the locking component 430 mayengage the latch component 350 to prevent rotation thereof. In someembodiments, the locking elements 435 a, 435 b may engage a lockingrecess 425 a, 425 b formed in the ring portion 360 of the latchcomponent 350. Compression of the compression elements 410 a, 410 b maycause the locking elements 435 a, 435 b to move inward such that they nolonger engage the latch component 350, thereby allowing the latchcomponent to rotate about the locking component 430. As the latchcomponent 350 rotates around the locking component 430, the outward biasof the locking elements 435 a, 435 b may cause the locking components topress against the inner surface of the ring portion 360. Accordingly,when a locking recess 425 a, 425 b is located over a locking element 435a, 435 b without the compression elements 410 a, 410 b being compressed,the locking element may push outward and re-engage the locking recess425 a, 425 b.

FIGS. 4C and 4D depict the housing 405, locking component 430, and latchcomponent 350 in a side view and a perspective view, respectively. Asshown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the housing 405 may include channelsconfigured to receive the compression elements 410 a, 410 b. In someembodiments, the housing 405 may include one or more openings 440configured to receive a complementary projection 445 on the lockingcomponent 430 to secure the locking component in place within theconnector assembly 400. FIGS. 4E and 4F depict the latch component 350and the locking component 430 as arranged within the connector assembly400 from a side view and a top-down view, respectively.

FIGS. 4G-4I depict an illustrative polarity adjustment for the connectorassembly 400. In FIG. 4G, the connector assembly 400 is arranged in afirst polarity in which the connector assembly is configured to connectwith an adapter with the second ferrule 155 b on the right side and thefirst ferrule 155 a on the left side of the connector assembly from atop-down perspective. The latch component 350 is arranged in a firstpolarity position on the locking component 430, with locking recess 425b visible in FIG. 4G and the thumb latch 355 being arranged over a top(T) surface of the housing 405. In FIG. 4H, the latch component 350 hasbeen rotated to a second polarity position, in which locking recess 425b is visible in FIG. 4H and the thumb latch 355 is arranged under abottom (B) surface of the housing 405. In FIG. 4I, the entire connectionassembly 400 has been rotated such that the connection assembly mayconnect with an adapter in a second polarity with the second ferrule 155b on the left side and the first ferrule 155 a on the right side of theconnector assembly from a top-down perspective. Accordingly, thepolarity of the connector assembly 400 may be adjusted by rotating thelatch component 350 from a first polarity position to a second polarityposition and rotating the connector assembly such that the thumb latch355 is orientated to engage a corresponding adapter.

Although a fiber optic connector has been used as an illustrativeembodiment, this detailed description is not so limited, as any type ofelectrical and/or communication connector may be used according to someembodiments. The connectors, adapters, and connection assemblies formedtherefrom may be used in combination with other connection elementsand/or materials, such as crimpers, bands, straps, ferrules, lockingmaterials, fluids, gels, or the like.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbolstypically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designedin a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isto be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularmethods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, whichcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodiesof the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (forexample, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including butnot limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to”). While various compositions, methods, and devices aredescribed in terms of “comprising” various components or steps(interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), thecompositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or“consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminologyshould be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups. Itwill be further understood by those within the art that if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intentwill be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of suchrecitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (for example, “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example),the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, meansat least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, inthose instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B,and C, et cetera” is used, in general such a construction is intended inthe sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention(for example, “ a system having at least one of A, B, and C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, et cetera). In those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, et cetera” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (for example, “ a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, or the like. As a non-limiting example, each range discussedherein can be readily broken down into a lower third, a middle third,and an upper third. As will also be understood by one skilled in the artall language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include thenumber recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken downinto subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by oneskilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, forexample, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2,3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, oralternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systemsor applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is alsointended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector assembly having an adjustable polarity, comprising: a first ferrule and a second ferrule; a frame comprising an integrated plug frame portion and a back post portion, the frame being configured to receive the first ferrule and the second ferrule; and a latch component configured to rotate around the frame to change the polarity of the connector assembly from a first polarity when the latch component is located at a first polarity position to a second polarity when the latch component is located at a second polarity position, without removing the first ferrule and the second ferrule from the frame, wherein the latch component comprises a ring portion including at least one locking projection configured to engage the frame to prevent rotation of the latch component relative to the frame.
 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch component is configured to engage the frame to prevent rotation of the latch component relative to the frame.
 3. The connector assembly of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises at least one locking recess and the latch component comprises at least one locking projection configured to engage the locking recess.
 4. The connector assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one compression element configured to disengage the latch component from the frame when the at least one compression element is compressed, thereby allowing the latch component to rotate around the frame.
 5. The connector assembly of claim 4, further comprising at least one locking element configured to engage at least one locking recess arranged on the latch component when the compression element is not compressed, thereby preventing rotation of the latch component.
 6. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector assembly is a duplex LC-type connector.
 7. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch component comprises at least one thumb latch configured to secure the connector assembly to an adapter.
 8. The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one thumb latch is configured to rotate with the latch component to change the polarity of the connector assembly.
 9. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring portion further includes at least one compression section configured to allow disengaging the latch component from the frame.
 10. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a bottom frame portion and a top frame portion configured to couple to the bottom frame portion to enclose the first ferrule and the second ferrule.
 11. The connector assembly of claim 10, each of the bottom frame portion and the top frame portion having a respective integrated plug frame portion and a back post portion.
 12. The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the latch component is configured to rotate from the top frame portion to the bottom frame portion to change the polarity of the connector assembly.
 13. The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein the latch component is further configured to rotate from the bottom frame portion to the top frame portion to change the polarity of the connector assembly.
 14. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch component is configured to rotate without removing the latch component from the back post portion. 